//------------------------------// // Only Fools Rush In // Story: The Whittler // by ROBCakeran53 //------------------------------// It had only been an hour since Rarity had seen Thomas’ vehicle depart the small town of Oasis. From their shared room, Fluttershy was eagerly packing additional supplies in her saddlebag as Applejack checked off a list. “I’m just so glad that Doctor Fauna was able to send out the supplies I requested so quickly.” “I’m not so sure it was her swift actions.” Applejack winked. Fluttershy blinked, tilting her head to the side. Applejack shook her head. “Never mind, sugarcube. Alright, that’s it then? We’re ready to go?” Fluttershy closed her saddlebag, and after struggling momentarily with them, Rainbow helped place them onto her back. Fluttershy gave a sheepish smile as Rainbow rolled her eyes with a kind smile. “Yes, I do believe so.” “Alright. R.D., Rares, we’ll be back in a few hours then. Just gonna check up on… um…” Applejack’s eyes glossed over. “Missus Fixit’s cats.” “Right, that.” “Take care, darlings,” Rarity said. Rainbow gave a lazy wave with her wing, then jumped up onto her bed. “Welp, I guess it’s time for a nap.” Rarity peered out the door, watching as Applejack and Fluttershy disappeared from view down the stairs. “I’m sorry, Rainbow dear, but you’re going to have to wait on that nap.” “Huh?” “I need your help with a little… something.” “Then why didn’t you ask Applejack?” “Dear, there were two reasons I asked Fluttershy to take Applejack with her. One was quite personal, the other was because I knew I couldn’t trust either of them with this special… mission.” “Oh? So what? You wanted me? You know I don’t do the fru-fru stuff, Rares.” Rarity huffed. “Please, would you honestly expect me to ask you to help with something against your character?” Rainbow Dash sat up on her bed, brow raised as she looked at Rarity with a deadpan look. Rarity blushed. “Okay, maybe I have in the past, but this time is different. I want your assistance in doing something… perhaps untoward.” Rarity whispered the last bit. “Untoward?” Rainbow asked, tilting her head. “You know... unladylike.” “Unladylike?” Rarity’s eyebrow twitched. Featherbrain indeed… “Illegal, Rainbow!” Rainbow had barely given Rarity any of her attention, but now the mare with two small words had her standing at the edge of her bed. “Oooooh! Why didn’t you just say so? Illegal, huh? Awesome, now you’re talking my style. What’s up?” “I’ll explain once we get there.” Rarity motioned for Rainbow to follow,, but as they were about to exit Sunny’s, a voice called to them. “Where are you two off to?” Rarity froze, while Rainbow turned around and with a huff and said, “None of your business, Trixie.” Trixie looked to Rarity, the white mare not making eye contact. Trixie smiled, “Yeah, sure. Hey Bob, Trixie is going on her break.” A black hoof appeared in the small serving window, ringing a bell twice. Trixie quickly joined the two mares, ushering them out the door. “Don’t play dumb, Trixie knows exactly what you’re planning,” Trixie half whispered to the both of them “I don’t even know what we’re doing, how would you?” Rainbow protested. “Let’s just say, Trixie knows when Thomas has somepony’s attention.” Rainbow blinked in confusion, while Rarity’s face went stoic. Trixie began walking towards Thomas’ shop, Rarity and Rainbow quick to follow. Going behind the building, Trixie moved a rock and found a key, unlocking the small door beside the larger shop doors, and entered. “Wait, we’re breaking into Thomas’ place? That’s the illegal thing?” Rainbow asked. Rainbow found herself being pushed inside by Rarity, who used her magic to close the door behind them. “Yes, and how Trixie caught on so quickly, I’ve no idea.” Rarity pouted. Trixie rubbed a hoof on her chest. “Because, like Trixie said, you’re not the first to be enamored by Thomas.” “Urg, for the last time, I’m not-” Rainbow was shushed by a zipper over her mouth, Trixie’s horn glowing. “Not you, featherbrain.” Rainbow looked from Trixie, then to Rarity, who looked elsewhere than them. She unzipped her lips. “Wait, you? Rarity, that’s crazy. Trixie’s full of it. You can’t seriously be considering–” Rarity cut off her friend. “I’m not considering anything. He’s simply… captured my curiosity. I’m conflicted on the situation as a whole, and I wish to know more, and what Trixie hinted at earlier…” Trixie smirked. “...well, while he is out with Twilight and Pinkie, I thought this would be the best time.” Rainbow gave Rarity a look, then glared at the magician. “If this is some sorta set up, Trixie, so help me I’ll beat the snot out of you.” “Oh please, if we get caught Trixie too is in trouble. No, Trixie merely wishes to show you something that might help make up your mind over Thomas’ situation.” “I’m pretty sure we’re both settled on what we’re gonna say,” Rainbow said. “Maybe you, but not her.” Trixie pointed at Rarity. “And just how do you know what I’m going to say?” Rarity asked. Trixie rolled her eyes. “Oh please, Thomas is one of those beings that, once he has your attention, is hard to resist. Trixie merely wishes to show you, who is undecided by his shows of false bravado and fake smiles, what the man is really capable of.” “Wouldn’t it be better to show all six of us?” Rainbow asked. Trixie shrugged. “While that is true, I’ve seen the look on Rarity’s face here before, on another mare who too was wrapped up in the wondering and musings of Mister Baker.” Trixie began walking towards a door, tail flicking about. “Oh? And just who was that?” Rainbow asked. Trixie stopped at the door, tail poised mid-toss, hoof ready to push it open. She turned her head slightly, eyes focused on something off in the distance. “Me.” Before either could say anything in question, Trixie opened the door and walked through. Rarity and Rainbow rushed ahead to catch up. Trixie was already at the base of the stairs, and upon seeing the two friends finally following she continued through. “So wait, aren’t you afraid of risking getting in trouble to show us… whatever this is?” Rainbow hovered above Trixie. Trixie rolled her eyes. “Technically, I have permission to come in here when I need to, although not for these circumstances.” The three mares entered a narrow hallway, consisting of two doors. Rainbow landed in front of the performer, glaring. “How do you have permission to come in here? Don’t you two, like, hate each other?” Both Trixie and Rarity stopped, looking at Rainbow. Then the two shared a glance. “Trixie knows you know, but should we tell her?” Rarity shook her head. “No, it’s best to let her figure things out on her own.” “Seriously? I’m right here, stop treating me like a foal.” “Then open your eyes and ears, Trash.” Trixie motioned at a single door at the end of the hall. “What is this room?” Rarity asked, noticing the door wasn’t latched closed. “This is his storage room, used to be his bedroom when the Fixit’s lived here still. He took over their room as his bedroom, so now just uses this for storage.” Rarity pushed the door open with a hoof, the door not making a sound other than striking a glass bottle that rolled into her field of view. She raised a brow at the black label of whiskey, and Trixie shrugged. “He doesn’t clean up his messes too well.” “Isn’t that the truth.” Trixie smirked. Rarity entered the room; a mess was a understatement. Rainbow was quick to follow behind, Trixie staying out of the room. “Woah, talk about a drinking problem.” Rainbow whistled. The floor was littered with empty, mostly empty, or the occasional quarter-full bottle of alcohol. Mostly whiskeys and bourbons, a few rum and vodka bottles were noticed in the sea of glass. “Trixie, what is with all of this?” Rarity asked, but noticed the mare was already gone. Rainbow decided to hover over the floor, while Rarity used her magic to push a path inside further. “Yeesh, this place just stinks of booze. I told you, didn’t I? He’s a total boozer. Alcoholic. Whatever you wanna call him.” Rainbow lifted a bottle off a box, barely a drip left inside. “It happens to the best of them, good, bad, or indifferent.” “Says the mare voting ‘yay’. I agree, but look at the dust on some of these bottles. They’ve been here a long time.” Rarity lifted a particularly dust covered bottle to her face. “Also, this is my favorite kind of Brandy, but the older label. They haven’t used this one in about three years.” “Okay, big deal, he still has a problem.” “Yes, and as much as Trixie tries to tell ponies, she is ignored.” At that moment, Trixie returned with a half empty bottle of a unlabeled amber liquid, and three glasses. “Trixie knows where the big oaf keeps his good stuff, and for this, well, I figured you could each use something to help prepare.” “Prepare for what?” Rainbow asked, taking her glass hesitantly. With her magic, Trixie flipped on a switch, casting the room into a dim light. Rarity squinted her eyes, the sudden light unexpected and nearly blinding her from her dark vision. A few seconds later, her eyes mostly adjusted, Rarity realized then just how small this room was, and wondered how the tall human managed to call this a bedroom in previous times. What little space there was was mostly taken up by a few dozen boxes, all slightly crushed and haphazardly placed upon one another or on a small table with a mismatched leg. The largest thing in the room was a worn, tattered recliner that was easily half covered in silver tape, the arm rests frayed and the finished wood handle on the side down to bare wood. Massive by pony standards, she could tell it was made specially for Thomas’ size and shape. Ahead of the seat sat a small black box with a glass screen upon the small table. Rainbow hovered in front of it, touching it. “Asshole.” “I beg your pardon?” Rarity asked. Rainbow moved away from the front of the screen. “Someone scratched asshole into the glass, see?” Rarity stepped closer, and sure enough, the glass had several shallow scratches that made up the offending word. More so, she saw the black case around it was cracked and busted on one corner. “Most of his things have something along those lines scratched, carved, or written on them,” Trixie said, walking towards a small stack of boxes where another, much smaller black box sat. It had a flashing red light on it, and a silver antenna not fully extended. Trixie approached the small black box, rubbing a hoof along the side. “I found this on accident years ago, looking… around.” “Snooping,” Rainbow corrected. “Tomato, Tomato.” Rainbow looked at the recliner, temptation on her mind, but seeing Rarity sit on the floor near Trixie decided for her, joining her friend on the floor. Trixie pressed a button on the machine, and stepped away. Using her magic she poured a small amount of liquid into each of their glasses, and took a sip. The machine made a clicking noise, then began to speak with a hint of a feminine tone it. “You have (ZERO) new messages. You have (FIVE) saved messages. First saved message, from December twenty first, two thousand and eight, at eight forty seven am.” A male voice began to speak, with a hurried tone. “Hey Tom, it’s Dick. Sorry it’s been a while since we’ve talked, but with this latest deployment I’ve not had any access to a satellite phone. Listen, I know you’re still mad at me for what I said, and I’m sorry. I’m supposed to be home in a month on leave, so we can talk it out, okay? Give Rachael my love.” There was a loud beep, causing Rarity and Rainbow to jump a little. Trixie paid no mind as she sipped at her drink. “Second saved message, from December twenty sixth, two thousand and eight, at one oh five pm.” A different male spoke, sounding sorrowful. “Tom… I’m sorry, bro. I just found out last night from dad, and he says he told you first thing this morning. I was out on a job and my phone was off. Damn it, Tom, when are you going to suck it up and get a cell phone already? You know they got ones now you can access the internet on too!” There was a sigh. “Sorry, Tom, that’s not the thing to discuss right now. Just, I’m as broken up as you are about Dick, but there’s no point in dwelling on it. “You’re married, with a kid on the way! I don’t think Dick would have wanted us to be all depressed over his death. He knew what he was getting into when joining, as did all of us. I was lucky to get out before the real bad shit started to happen. If I don’t hear from you soon, I’ll be calling Rach, but you know how I hate to bother her at work. If I don’t see you at the shop this evening, please, when you get this, call me, so we can go out for a drink or something with dad. I think Dick would have liked that.” There was another audible beep. Rainbow looked over to Rarity, who was now taking a sip of her drink, a tear down her cheek. The sorrowful emotion in the speaker’s voice had Rarity feeling her heart strings pulled. “Third saved message, from October fourteenth, two thousand and ten, at ten eleven am.” The same male spoke, although angrily. “What the actual fuck, Tom? I know you can be an ass at times, but this takes the cake! Rachael just showed up at my job site in tears, saying you cheated on her! Boy, you’ve got some ass kicking coming your way once I find your sorry ass! For fucks sake, you shit-bag, Callie is two and a half! “I know you’ve not been the same since Richard died, but to stoop this low? What the fuck were you thinking?” Someone began speaking in the background. “No, Rach, I want this on his machine. This mother fucker better know what’s coming to him. Michele is coming to get Rach, so you better be home when I’m done here, because we’re having a talk, brother to dip shit brother.” “I’m not sure I can take any more of this…” Rarity said, her emotions conflicted now. Trixie filled her glass again. Rainbow still hadn’t touched hers. Another beep. “Forth saved message, from February sixteenth, two thousand thirteen, at four forty pm.” This time, an older male spoke, much slower and thought out. “Hey Rachel, it’s your father in law. I wanted to ask you about Tom, he seemed a bit off today at the mall site, nearly cut his own finger off. I haven’t seen him that sloppy in years. I know you two had been having a rough time years back, but I’m glad you stuck to it, even through my son’s stupidity. Is there something else going on? I heard you might be pregnant again. I know it was supposed to be a secret, but Michele was here visiting Harrison and spilled the beans a few months back. “I haven’t seen Tom this lost since that conference we had in Ohio a couple years back, when you and Callie stayed with Harrison and Michele for those few weeks. Yeah, I know, I’m your father after all, I have a way of finding out these things. I doubt Tom knows I know, but well, I’m sure he’s going to hear this eventually. I’m not mad, son, just disappointed. Anyway, call me when you can. I’m going to be in the office late tonight, so call the two six nine number.” Another beep. Rarity was now leaning against Rainbow for support. She still hadn’t touched her glass, only focused on the machine. “Fifth saved message, from March twenty third, two thousand fourteen, at nine fifty eight am.” Once again, a different voice spoke up, with an authoritative tone. “Tom, it’s Will. Look, I can only do so much for you, man. It’s hard being both your friend and lawyer, because both sides of me are conflicted. The point is, if you want to get to see Callie at all, you need to make the next court hearing. This is the last one. They’ve been more than generous giving us four postpones, but this is the last one. If you don’t show, then Rachael gets full custody. “I get it, Tom, life is rough right now, but according to Harrison, the last time he talked to you you were lost in your work, staying until midnight at some job sites. It’s not healthy, Tom. I know the miscarriage took a lot from the both of you, but right now, she is trying to take the last of it. As your lawyer, you’re a jackass and get what’s coming. As your friend, which I’ll always be, you’re still a jackass, but you need to pull yourself out of this, put away the booze, and come into the courthouse tomorrow morning. I expect you there.” The final beep. “To repeat these messages, press one now. To delete any saved messages, press seven. To save any new messages, press nine.” Trixie pressed a button with her hoof, causing a click, and the machine went silent. Rarity and Rainbow Dash sat in silence, Rarity’s second glass drained. Trixie finished her first glass, and took Rainbows and drained it herself. Taking the three empty glasses and bottle of alcohol, she began walking out the room. “We should be getting back. Trixie thinks she’s over her allowed break time.” Rainbow stormed after Trixie. “Just what the hay was that all about? Who were those voices? How were they on that box?” “Why would you show us that?” Rarity asked, still in her same spot, staring at the blinking light, fixated. Trixie stopped in the hallway, near the other door which was open. “Those were the voices of the past, as Tom calls them. His reminders, that no matter what he says, what he does, he’ll always be what he is.” Rainbow followed Trixie into the other room, the only furnishings being a large bed (with no scratches, she noticed) a couple of tables, and a desk with chair. Against one wall sat a rather tall brown case, the center of it with an art piece showing two deer. “He play an instrument?” “The guitar.” Rainbow looked at the case again. “It’s kinda narrow to hold a guitar.” Trixie returned the bottle and glasses onto the desk, then turned to follow Rainbow’s gaze. “That’s not–” “Oh, Trixie, Bob’s looking for you,” came Rarity’s voice from the hall. “Trixie is sure he is.” Just then, Bob walked into view in the hallway, a scowl on his face. ---------- Thomas had wrapped up the remaining gutter work quickly on his own, allowing Twilight and Pinkie some time alone together with Golden. “Why does he leave the music box here?” Twilight asked. Golden set down her glass. “Because it reminds him of his mother, Betty, which his father called Betts. Gilded and I named our daughter after her. He liked to tell us stories, what ones he could remember of his mother, and we felt it was the right thing to do. She passed away when he was young. “When we announced her name to everypony, he felt it appropriate that it be given to her.” Twilight scratched her head. “That still doesn’t explain the magic on these things. Why? What for?” “The magic doesn’t hurt him, from what we’ve all gathered. However, its effects on ponies are instant as I’m sure you realized when you went to reach your magic out. They don’t seem to bother pegasi or us earth ponies nearly as bad, but when I pick that box up, I feel sad, a longing feeling for something I lost dearly.” “So why would he cast such emotion binding spells on his things like that? And not warn anypony, like that Circuit pony in the dam?” “He didn’t cast them. No one knows what it’s all about, but some of his stuff just… is that way.” “That makes no sense. Somepony had to cast magic on them. Things can’t just take on magic like that.” “Maybe not things of our world, but his? He’s told me in the past his world has no magic like our own. Something about here and there being so similar, but so different too.” Twilight began to take a drink, but stopped, eyes going wide. “Wait… his world?” Pinkie, who’d been silent while the two had talked, perked her ears towards the front door. “Yes, his world. What, you think Thomas is from anywhere on Equis?” Golden smiled. “He’s.. HE’S AN ALIEN!” Twilight shot out of her seat, her wings throwing Pinkie off the small couch. Just then Thomas stepped inside. “Boo, mother fuckers.” “You mean this whole time, the town of Oasis, you, the mayor, sheriff, everypony’s been hiding an actual alien!?” “I wouldn’t say hide, I’ve been to Manehatten a couple times,” Thomas walked into the kitchen. “Please keep your voices down, or else you’ll wake Betts,” Golden said, glaring at Twilight. “Oh, I’m sorry! It’s just… how did I not see this before?” Thomas walked into the living room with an open bottle of beer. “Maybe because you ponies keep trying to focus on my personality and problems, instead of seeing me for what I am.” “An alien?” Pinkie asked. “An alien jackass.” Thomas took a swig of his beer. “I don’t understand this. It makes no sense,” Twilight rubbed the sides of her head with both hooves. “Yeah, try me for instance. At the time, I found myself around small ponies that could speak and we could understand each other, not to mention our writing is almost similar, save for yours is a bit more blocky and clumped together. I blame hooves and mouth writing for that, but still, I could at least make out most of the words.” “This makes no sense…” Twilight’s mane was beginning to unravel. Silence took over, Pinkie petting Twilight’s mane down flat. Golden began to yawn, fighting to hide her mouth with a hoof. “Up late again, Goldie?” Thomas asked. The mare simply nodded her head. Thomas scratched his chin. “Alright. I was gonna start on the walls now, since the roof is done, but we can do that another day.” Golden looked towards the kitchen. “I need to go into town for some errands tomorrow, so I’ll be out at least four hours.” “That should be enough time to get the bedroom and kitchen done,” Thomas said. “Oh oh! Applejack and I are great at painting walls! We can help!” Pinkie bounced on the couch. “Sure, why not?” Thomas rolled his shoulders, tossing the now empty beer bottle into a waste bin. “Okay Goldie, I’ll be here around, what, nine?” Golden yawned again. “Best make it ten. I might sleep in a little if given the chance.” Thomas’ face shifted into a small frown. “You know, I said while Gilded was away you two could-” Golden cut him off with a hip hug. “It’s fine, Thomas. Thank you.” Thomas let out a sigh, patting the mare on her head. “Anytime.” Twilight and Pinkie said their goodbyes as well, and the three returned to Thomas’ van. He opened the passenger door for them to hop in, which they did effortlessly, and closed it gently, only adding a little force an inch from closing. As he stepped into his side, Thomas did the same thing with his door, however it didn’t latch at first. He repeated the process two more times before it finally stuck. The human shook his head, and started up the van with a rumble. ---------- Returning to Sunny’s went slower than leaving, mostly because Thomas wasn’t in any sort of hurry. “I gotta work more when we get there, so might as well take our time and enjoy the scenery.” “What scenery?” Pinkie asked. “It’s just desert and small metal signs.” “And you took at least ten breaks at Golden’s house.” Twilight added. “Besides, doesn’t this thing go faster? How fast can it go?” Pinkie traded places with Twilight, trying to play with the radio. “Hey hey hey! Don’t touch things if you don’t know what they do!” Thomas smacked Pinkie’s hoof. “How else do you learn things?” Thomas opened his mouth to argue, but shut it with a click of his teeth. Pinkie grinned, polishing her hoof against her chest. “I was starting to really like you, but you’re starting to get onto my shit list.” Thomas drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Oh relax, I’m everyone’s favorite pony. You’ll come around.” Pinkie nudged Twilight. Twilight, for the most part, ignored the two, looking out the window at the desolate scenery going by. All was silent for a couple of minutes, then Twilight began to speak. “I just don’t get it.” Both pink pony and human looked to Twilight. “Get what?” Thomas asked. “How ponies could make a town in the middle of the desert, void of any contact for, at times, years, and just function.” Thomas shrugged his shoulders. “I mean, in our history, people were continuously killing themselves in order to put their staple on the land, moving farther and farther west. Fighting harsh winters and desolate deserts. Thousands died, few succeeded.” “That’s not so different from our past.” “Then why is Oasis so weird?” “Because it’s modern Equestria! The days of going out and finding new lands is gone! We’ve done all we could! Some lands just don’t cooperate with Equestrian magic, the badlands being one of those places!” “And yet, here we are.” “And yet, here you are…” The cab in the van was silent for several long seconds. “I think we should discuss more happy things! Like the party tonight!” Both Thomas and Twilight rolled their eyes. “Wasn’t it supposed to be a surprise party?” Thomas asked. Pinkie shrugged. “Eh, sometimes it’s more fun to surprise the surprisee with a surprise party that’s not such a surprise but what’s gonna happen at the surprise party will be the surprise.” Thomas scratched his head. “I uh, sure?” “Great! OOooh, what’s that?” Pinkie reached up over Thomas’ head, pulling down the vizor. “Hey, don’t touch things!” Thomas swatted Pinkie’s hoof away. “What are those disks?” At Pinkie’s question, Twilight returned her attention to the human. “They’re CD’s. They play music, like records, only using laser beams. However, most of them don’t work anymore from being used so much. I only got two left.” “And the one was that Jimmy guy?” “Jim Croce,” both Twilight and Thomas said in unison. “Yes.” Thomas flipped the vizor back up. “What’s the other one?” Thomas frowned. “Another spectrum of the 70’s that my father loved, and me and my brothers hated.” “You mean my brothers and-” Twilight began. Thomas slammed the brakes, causing the van to skid and the mares to almost slide off the vinyl seat. “Okay, that’s enough. I get it, you’re smart. Big whoop, wanna fight about it?” He placed the van into park, turning his body to face the two ponies. “Quit treating me like I’m stupid for the wrong reasons. “I’m fucked up. I’m in a fucked situation. I barely graduated high school and didn’t even try for college once I lost my scholarship. I’m an alien, but I work here, I live here, and I pay my bills and I pay Equestrian taxes. If you’re looking for some grand mystery to solve around me, there’s only one.” Twilight gulped. “And what’s that?” Thomas returned facing forward, dropping the shift lever down and began moving forward. “How can I finally move on?” ---------- Dusk was rolling in when Thomas placed the van into park outside his shop. The vehicle’s headlights shined at the large garage door, and Twilight took notice that the right beam was much dimmer than the left, as well as aiming high. Thomas stepped out of his van, holding his door open as he addressed the two mares. “Everything I need for the window is back there. I’m just gonna check on some of the furniture, and if it’s dry load it up and take it to Sunny’s. You two can wait here, or come help.” With that, he closed his drivers door and walked to the large shop door, opening it and allowing his headlights to shine inside. Pinkie and Twilight shared a glance, and with a shrug exited the vehicle. Most of the chairs and stools were all good to go, according to Thomas, so they stuffed as many as they could into the back of his van, and after a quick jaunt unloaded them onto Sunny’s balcony. Carrying some furniture inside, Twilight was surprised to see Rarity behind the counter serving a pony his meal, Rainbow’s vibrant mane visible through the service window, and Trixie sitting at a table polishing her hooves. “What did they do?” Thomas asked with an amused smile. Trixie barely paid him a glance. “Broke into your shop and went snooping.” “Oh.” Thomas looked at Rarity, who blushed at his gaze, then placed the two chairs he was carrying at Trixie’s table, then took a seat. “So did you give them the guided tour, or jump right into the action?” Trixie shrugged. “Trixie figured there was no point in beating around the bush with those two, so she tagged along. Trixie would have hated if those two had done something unsupervised to hinder my wagon’s progress.” “For a moment there, I thought you cared.” Thomas shook his head, letting out a sigh. “I suppose you did right, them all being heros or something. Were you this bad when we met?” Trixie let out a laugh. “Not in the slightest.” With a sly grin, Thomas reclined back in the chair, kicking it onto its back legs. “Not how I remember it, oh so long ago. I vaguely remember at one point you started to wear perfume, and were-” Trixie slapped Thomas in the face with her apron. “Don’t. You. Dare.” “I’m confused, what were we just seeing?” Rainbow asked beside Rarity. Rarity wrapped a foreleg around her friend. “Rainbow, dear, your ignorance sometimes is a magical thing.” “Okay?” The double doors opened, with Twilight and Pinkie Pie walking in. “Oh hey, Twilight, Pinks. How’d it go?” Rainbow shrugged off Rarity, throwing her apron onto the counter. She jumped with a flap of her wings, landing on the other side with a jump. “Well, about as well as the rest of your experiences went,” Twilight said with a huff, placing down the last of the chairs. “Yippie! And, top it all off, booze is back on the menu!” Pinkie cart wheeled behind the counter, using a stool as a ramp. She fell down with a crash, then reappeared wearing a mustache and barbershop quartet getup. She began violently shaking a mixer, ice rattling inside. “Oh.” Both Rarity and Rainbow expressed with varying reactions. Rainbow walked over to Thomas. “So, are you gonna become an ass again? Or you gonna stay cool?” “Rainbow!” Rarity shouted. “What? I’m asking a serious question.” She turned back to the human. “Well?” Thomas looked to the four mares, then to Trixie, and finally rested back onto Rainbow. “Yeah, I can work on that.” “That’s probably as good as you’re gonna get, Trash,” Trixie said. Rainbow shrugged. “Okay, I can live with that.” Thomas returned his chair back to all fours, then turned to face Rainbow with a light slap of his hand on her face. “Damn good, Joe.” He stood, returning to his project of a window, as Rainbow touched her cheek, a faint blush emitting heat. ---------- Apparently, Thomas had the foresight in planning to not only rebuild one window, but two, as apparently by his ability to jump right into the project once again, and finish it with quicker speed than before. Whether it was because he hadn’t needed to rebuild the frame and some outer-walls, due to previous rot, or just that he’d gathered the additional supplies in case he’d messed up and needed a re-do, well, it was anypony’s guess. Pinkie Pie couldn’t care less, as she was setting up Sunny’s for, by Oasis’ standards, the craziest party ever. Rowdy, while an apt word to describe a Pinkie Party, was nothing compared to an all night binger in the small town, especially when their resident human had some tricks up his sleeves. At some point, Applejack and Fluttershy had returned. The farm mare looked as though she’d been through some emotional turmoil, which was fixed by all of her friends forming a group hug. Thomas and Trixie both gagged at the fluffiness. After finishing the window (for good he hoped), he’d taken his usual bar seat, sipping at a beer and watching the six mares moving furniture around, setting up a impromptu stage near the piano. “I feel like I’m going to one of my little cousin’s birthday parties,” Thomas said, playing with the pink banners hanging along the bar top. Bob shrugged, sporting, of all things, a party hat which was too colorful for his black chitin. Thomas had tossed his off the moment after he realized it had been put on. How Pinkie had gotten the string around the front of his face and he hadn’t noticed was beyond him. Before long, townsponies began showing up, getting drinks and starting up talk about this and that. The six new mares were the topic of most conversations, although Thomas could feel the occasional glance his way. I haven’t felt like this in years… damn ponies. Thomas took the last swig of his beer, killing the bottle with a loud clunk on the bar. “Well, this is shaping up to be quite the party.” Sunny took the empty beer, and passed him a glass of water, a lemon slice stuck to the side. Thomas removed the lemon, squeezing as much into the glass as his fingers would allow, then dropped it and sunk it with his straw, tossing the plastic to the side and drank it normally. “Hydrate up, Tom. You’re gonna need it.” “Oh? Is that so?” “Looks like the party’s about to start.” Sunny nodded behind him, so the human turned to look. At the made up stage, Windslor was taking his place at the piano, flexing his wings and cracking his hooves. Next up was the brown unicorn, known simply as Duster, holding in his magic a harmonica while he had a pair of spoons in his hooves. Several other small instruments sat in cases around his stool. Lastly, the gruffest of the three, the black earth pony called Rocky, pulled out a trumpet from a felt case. Behind the group, Thomas noticed a brightly colored drum set, unfamiliar to him. “Who’s drums?” Thomas asked. “Those are mine!” Pinkie said, placing another party hat on Thomas’ head. He was quick to remove it, placing it on Pinkie’s head next to her original. “That’s… not entirely surprising for you. Any good?” “Well, I’m no Mickey Rooney, but I’m above average.” Thomas nearly choked on his water. “So, how about that drink you owe me~?” Pinkie sang. “Right. Sunny, a Rootbeer Float for the pretty pink pony.” “Aw, that’s so sweet.” “Yeah, I realized what I said only after it came out of my mouth. It’s like you’re all a tumor on my brain making me want to strip naked and frolic through a field of clover.” Sunny and Pinkie Pie stared at the human. “You do have some issues,” Pinkie said, and Sunny nodded in agreement. Before more could be said, Pinkie knocked back the tall glass of rootbeer and vanilla vodka, going so far as to take several ice cubes and crunch them in her mouth, chewing happily. Thomas could feel the hairs on his neck stand. Pinkie placed the glass down, a mischievous grin on her face. “So, a little filly told me you play guitar~” Caught off guard, Thomas stuttered, “U-Uh, yeah, but mine was busted years ago.” Pinkie bounced away, ignoring Thomas. “Okay everypony, it’s time to start this party! You know where the drinks are, food will be out shortly, but first we need to bring out the special guest!” Pinkie jumped up on the stage. “Thomas Baker! Get your tight, firm flanks up here!” There was a roar of laughter from the crowd, mixed with clopping of hooves on the floor. Thomas responded from the bar by raising the middle digit on his right hand. “Alrighty-o, ponies, maybe later. For now let's start this party! Hit it, you Old Koots!” The band ponies immediately began to play, stomping their hooves with a beat, which many ponies around the room quickly matched. Rocky began singing. “I used to think that making love was foalish as could be, But when I hit the age of twelve a little filly told me. ‘Just kiss me once and if you don’t like it then I’ll go away,’ When I came up for air well this is all I could say. It may be silly, but ain’t it fun.” ---------- “Their perfume really knocks me out, it sets my head a reelin’. And when they blink those eyes at me, I go right through the ceilin’. Oh, they make my blood pressure high, but what a lovely way to die, because I love girls!” The music continued; ponies danced, drank, and when food was brought out by Bob and Trixie, the band took a break. Pinkie joined Thomas at the bar, a stallion with a pumpkin cutie mark was patting him on the back. “Thanks again, Tom.” Thomas nodded his head, the pony leaving, only to be replaced by Pinkie. “So, it’s about time.” Thomas’ attention lingered on the stallion a few moments longer, then looked around. “Looks like things are only just warming up. Rocky only did half a dozen songs.” Pinkie shook her head. Before Thomas could ask, he was grabbed by Sunny and Bob and dragged to the stage. He wasn’t dragged in the sense of force, but protest, walking behind while the pony and changeling held his hands in their mouths. “Okay, okay, I’m here. What?” Thomas stood in front of all the ponies. “Yay! Thanks you two!” Pinkie appeared once again behind her drum set, a glass of RBF held by her mane. “Now, Tom, would you like to say anything to the ponies here?” “Yes, I hate you all.” There was laughter, although the table holding five mares held varying degrees of amusement. “Well, I think you’re gonna change your mind when you see the gift they got for you.” Thomas looked to Pinkie. “The what?” Sunny, along with the sheriff and mayor, carried on their backs a large box. Thomas looked on in silence as they set the box down at his feet, backing up and giving him smiles. “What you waitin’ for, Tom? Open it!” Sunny said. “Yes, Thomas! Don’t keep everypony waiting.” Mayor Billfold leaned against his wife. Thomas knelt down, and lifting the lid couldn’t believe what he saw. Picking up the guitar, it was overly sized for a pony, but just right for a human. It was sparkly clean, freshly waxed, and looked like it had been patched together with other guitars, although most of it was very recognizable. Somepony had had the forethought to sand away the vulgar chicken scratch that had once adorned it. “I… don’t even.” Thomas looked out at the townsponies. “Matchbox sent it, before… you know.” Sunny said. “Senior?” Several ponies nodded their heads. Inside the box there was a small note, which Thomas picked up, and read over to himself. “What’s it say?” Thomas looked to the ponies ahead of him. “You didn’t read it?” They all shook their heads. Sheriff Copper Top shrugged. “It was for you, Old Tom. It’s your place to share.” Thomas licked his lips, and before he could ask Rocky hoofed him a fresh beer. With a chuckle, Thomas gave his thanks and took a sip. “Thomas,” Thomas began. “He could never call me Tom. ‘Thomas, for all the times I had to kick your butt and my son’s, you were one Hell of a pony for not being one. Sorry this got destroyed, but I hope you can forgive all of us for what happened all those years ago.’” Thomas looked from Sheriff Copper Top, to the Mayor and his wife drying tears from their faces. Sunny, absent of her husband, nodded in approval, and lastly Swift Delivery seemed to be trying to ignore the fact he was standing next to Fluttershy’s seat, while giving Thomas his full attention. Laying the guitar to his side, he removed the little pick taped to the note. “‘I remember you gave this to me for good luck, when Junior and myself left. Well, all it’s done is brought me grief and trouble, so take it back and use it proper.”’ Several ponies, Thomas included, laughed at that. “‘Mister Fixit would have been proud to see what you’ve done with his shop, and I’m sorry he didn’t get to hear you play one last time for him. I heard you, along with him and his wife, and while you lack in natural vocal range, you made up for with emotion. Never stop, and keep pushing forward. “‘Your friend, and I stress at the hardship in never calling you such in person, Matchbox Senior.”’ Thomas let the note fall back into the box. The silence in the tavern was deafening. He began to play with the pick in his fingers, running over the familiar wear marks on it. “Well, damn, I don’t know what to say,” Thomas finally spoke. “We gathered as many pieces as we could, then sent them to Matchbox. So, you know, the least you could say is thanks.” Sheriff Copper Top said with a grin. Thomas began running his fingers across the strings. “Thank you, all of you.” Suddenly, Bob appeared with Missus Fixit, using his side to help guide her up towards the stage. “He would be, you know,” she said. Thomas knelt down to the mare, giving her a hug, which she returned in kind. “I sure hope so.” “Hey Tom, how about a song?” A pony shouted. “Yeah!” “Come on, Tom!” “Let's hear some human music for once!” A stool was produced for him to sit on, and so Thomas took a seat. “Yeah, okay okay, let me just tune this real quick.” He began adjusting the knobs, testing strings. “What’cha got planned for us, Tom?” Sunny asked, taking a break from the bar, although bringing Thomas another beer. “Well… gosh, I haven’t played in years, I may be rusty.” He looked over to Bob, Sunny quickly joining her husband, both pony and changeling pressing their sides against Missus Fixit for comfort. “What was the one you sang to me before, Thomas? The one about teaching your children well?” the blind mare asked. Thomas began strumming the guitar. “Their fathers Hell, did slowly go by. Yeah, that sounds about right. Okay, um…” he began playing in earnest. Everypony was entrailed in his playing, and then he began singing. “You, who are on the road. Must have a code, that you can live by.” ---------- An hour and a dozen songs later, Thomas decided he’d had enough, his throat was sore, dry, and his mind was too sober for his liking at this kind of party. At the Friendship Table (™) Pinkie rejoined her friends, also taking a break along with the other band players. “Whew, that was a lot of fun!” “Some of those songs were...” Rarity began. “Deep,” Rainbow said, taking a moment to break away from her own singing. Rarity gave Rainbow a look. “I was going to say emotional, but that’s fair.” “Tonight we’re settin’ the woods on fire!” Pinkie sang, tapping her hooves on the table. “I dunno, that Lying Eyes song really had me. How a mare could do that to herself…” Applejack took a sip of her bourbon. “Dun dun, I was a ramblin’ mare, na na na.” Rainbow danced around in her seat. “It was man, not mare.” Twilight said, sipping at her water. Rainbow raised a brow. “But I’m a mare.” “Could’a fooled me,” Applejack said with a snicker. Ignoring her friends remark, Twilight continued. “I’m glad he was giving us song titles and the performers he knew them by.” Twilight checked a list she had been compiling of the songs, titles, performers, and lyrics best she could. “Although, I admit Country Roads was a very soothing song, and left me thinking of Golden Oaks.” At Pinkie’s wayward glance, she added, “Good thoughts.” “I really enjoyed that one about hearing it in a love song. I didn’t realize Thomas could sing so well.” Fluttershy said, then looked at Rarity. “What about you? Was there one that touched you?” Rarity broke her attention from the ponies talking and drinking with Thomas. “They’ve all left a impact on me, I’m afraid.” “Wow, Trixie knew you were coming down with the sickness, but she hadn’t realized this badly.” Trixie took a seat at the table, sipping a blue tropical drink. Rarity scoffed. “I’m so sorry to please you so, but I cannot help myself. There is something about him that is just…” “Wait, back up a second, what are we talking about?” Twilight asked. “Oh, just the fact that Rares here wants to jump ‘Old Tom’s’ bones,” Applejack’s face twisted to disgust. “For what only Faust knows reason.” “Huh, I didn’t take you for going after older stallions. Or men, whatever.” Rainbow said with a grin. “I thought Rainbow had feelings for Thomas?” Everypony, Rainbow included, turned to Twilight. “Seriously, what’s wrong with you girls?” Rainbow asked. “I mean, I knew we were doing it in jest, but I thought…” Twilight seemed to blank out, her magic bringing out another scroll. “Oh, this complicates things so much.” Twilight began frantically scribbling more onto the parchment with a quill. Suddenly, Thomas made himself known by dropping onto the last open seat at the table. “Hey you, you whatever you all are.” “Well, so much for him not getting smashed,” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Hey, I’ve actually been a very good boy! I’ve held back quite a bit. No, this is more of a… contact high.” “Contact high?” Applejack asked. “Yeah! This is the first party I’ve actually had for, well, me! Since I’ve been here. At first I hated it, but man, it’s so great to see everypony so happy and talking about things that once were very deep emotional scars on my very soul, then spun around and joked about.” Every pony at the table blinked. “Riiiight. Okay, when do we plan to wrap this up?” Rarity asked. “Oh oh, not before I do one more song!” Thomas stood, and marched over to the stage. “Huh.” “What is it, Trixie?” Rarity asked. “I haven’t seen him like this in, well, a long time.” “Like what?” Trixie watched as the human instructed the other band ponies, excluding Pinkie. “Happy.” Rarity noticed the pained tone in Trixie’s voice, but suddenly the guitar started up as well as piano. “My Maria. Don’t you know why I came a long, long way.” It wasn’t difficult for everypony to notice how Thomas continuously looked over to the table holding the Elements of Harmony, but only those six, plus Trixie, could see who he was really staring at. Seated side by side, Trixie and Rarity shared a glance, sharing the same thought about one another. Rarity opened her mouth to speak, but Trixie cut her off with a raised hoof. “Trixie has already made this mistake more times than she cares to admit. She is staying out of this one, it’s all on you Hagity.” With that, Trixie stepped away from the table, and back to behind the bar to serve ponies. Everypony at the table shared a glance, then with a roar of laughter from the townsponies they turned back to Thomas, who now had both the sheriff and a very tipsy Swift up singing along. Attempting to, anyway, since they didn’t know the lyrics like Thomas did. ---------- As eight o’clock became nine, then nine to ten, ponies began to wander home for the night. There were still a few stragglers, and when the singing died down Thomas challenged the main six to a game of poker, but only Rarity and Pinkie Pie seemed eager to play. The band ponies, happily, stepped in to fill in the gaps. As it stood, Windslor, Duster, and Rocky had given up and thrown in the towel to clean their instruments before packing them away. Thomas was nursing a beer, the only thing he’d actually won in the game. Rarity had on Thomas’ shirt with the sleeves rolled up so it wouldn’t drag. And lastly, Pinkie had won multiple drinks, along with a IOU for a custom vanity. By her expression, she was about to also include the chair for it. Thomas stared at the cards in his hand, then to Rarity. The fashionista had folded and ordered another old fashioned, content with watching the outcome of the last hand. Looking at the pink mare, Thomas’ eye twitched as she was in the process of using one of her cards as a pegasus, flying around herself. He saw a glimpse of the card, Deuce of diamonds. “Had I known you were this much of a monster at poker, I’d have suggested Go Fish.” Thomas slapped his cards down. “I fold, before you take what’s left of my dignity.” “Yay!” Pinkie tossed her cards down as well. He didn’t even bother looking at them, the mare having previously doubled down on a lousy hand one time, then the next folding with a straight. “If I’d had your poker face growing up, I’d be a lot richer and not had the shit beat out of me so much,” Thomas said, draining the last of his beer. “Yes, well Pinkie does play what one might call a ‘mean game’. You should see her in Twister,” Rarity said. “I’ll pass,” Thomas replied. With a snap of his fingers, Trixie brought out another Rootbeer Float for the mare, on the carpenter’s tab. “Welp, I think that does it for me, ladies.” Thomas stood, but immediately fell down backwards. Everypony rushed to him, but the human was already in a fit of giggles. “Oh man, I can’t remember the last time I felt this good. Well, actually I can. There was a lot of screaming my name and-” Trixie kicked Thomas in the side, causing the human to groan. “Trixie thinks somepony should take him home.” Everypony looked at each other, none of them saying anything. “Really? No one? Fine, if Trixie must.” The mare began to help Thomas up, struggling to do so. “I suppose I will help.” Rarity got on Thomas’ other side, allowing the human to use both ponies as rails to push himself up. “Thanks, ladies. Pinkie, thanks again for this party. You’re alright, even with all the things Rainbow said about you.” “Hey!” Rainbow protested. Thomas laughed. “I’m just fuckin’ with ya, Tart. Okay ladies, homeward bound.” Thomas began walking, but stumbled. Rarity was there in an instant to help stabilize the human. “Eventually!” Pinkie, along with her remaining friends, began the process of cleaning up. Most everypony had been good and not made a mess, but the floors needed to be swept, tables bussed, and the stage taken down for the breakfast crowd in the morning. The band ponies helped with the stage, and upon Pinkie’s request, Sunny and Bob sat down to rest their hooves, having been working most of the time along with Trixie. At some point, Sunny had returned the radio to the bar top, and had it playing with low volume. A particular song began to play, however, causing Bob to step down from his stool and hold his hoof out to his wife. “Oh, our song, Bobby.” Sunny raised the volume a couple notches, then stepped down, taking his hoof. The two quickly got to their rear legs, using each other for balance as they came in close and began rocking back and forth, a slow dance. One by one, Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and the band ponies, stopped what they were doing to focus on the dancing couple, whose tails had begun to wrap around one another. At the song’s ending, the two lovers lingered on their rear hooves, looking into each other’s eyes, their expressions those of serene happiness. The six visitors who had looked on with pleased approval slowly turned to look at Thomas, perhaps suspecting a snide jab at the two sweethearts so openly showing such deep emotions, but his expression matched the ones they themselves had. Bob and Sunny stepped down on all fours, and Bob gently reached forward to rest his head on Sunny’s head below her ear. Sunny’s let out a content sigh, and nodded slightly, before pecking Bob on his cheek. “That’s all from us this evening,” Sunny said, in such a way as to not seeming to want attention drawn to itself, before they started slipping out of the room. “Goodnight.” “‘Night,” Thomas said, smiling with a mix of happiness and melancholy at the retreating couple. Trixie took Thomas’ other side, and with Rarity’s assist the two mares helped guide him out into the crisp, cool night. Everypony returned to their duties, and as Fluttershy went to sweep under a table, she hit something. Looking under it, she found a snoozing Swift Delivery, hugging some long strands of pink hair. With a blush of her cheeks, she at least knew where she’d lost her tail extension. ---------- As Trixie, Rarity, and Thomas exited Sunny’s, the two mares couldn’t help but look up to admire the moon, full as ever, casting the town into a faint light. “My, such a beautiful night,” Rarity commented. “Trixie agrees; it always reminds her of when she’s traveling town to town, camping where she can find a good clearing.” “With your wagon?” Trixie nodded. “When it’s actually in one piece, anyway.” The two were silent, watching Thomas as he attempted several times to walk a straight line, only for him to stumble off course, mumbling to himself. “Trixie, I’d like to be frank with you.” Trixie gave a low laugh. “I’m serious, I know we’ve had our differences in the past, but I have to ask, are you and Thomas together?” Her answer was not immediate, but after a few steps she shook her head. “No, we are not.” “Are you positive? I don’t like to step on other mare’s tails, and I’ve seen some signs that-” “Do you plan to sleep with him?” Rarity paused a moment. “I can’t say it’s at the top of my mind, but…” she began rubbing Thomas’ shirt against herself, breathing in the smells of sawdust, lacquer thinner, and sweat. Of a worker, dedicated to the fine arts of wood work, much like herself with fabric. “Ha-er, Rarity, do you know why Thomas and I argue so much?” Noticing Thomas was sitting on the ground, both mares having missed when he fell, Rarity took a seat and shook her head. Trixie stood ahead of her, one ear pinned at Thomas’ direction while the other was on Rarity. “He’s angry at himself, for his life choices, even those before he came to Oasis. I… I know how he feels, what I’ve done to Ponyville, and other towns in my performing career. “It’s hard to be better than you are, because you know every slip up you’re still that pony who is frowned upon by everypony else.” “Thomas seems to not have that problem,” Rarity commented. “Oh he did. I’ve only been coming here for a little over six years, and while I wasn’t here for his real rough spots… he still has a lot of self hatred and anger. You heard those recordings.” “I can’t help but see him as one of my mystery novels.” Rarity pawed at the ground. “I remember my first colt friend, he was a brute, rude, and only gave me compliments when I demanded them.” “But he was good in bed.” “Amazing, but it didn’t last long. However, I still remember, after we’d be snuggled together in bed, he’d smile. So rare he’d do it, but with me, with a mare there to give him comfort both emotionally and physically…” “Thomas is his own person. What you two do from here on out is none of my concern, but Trixie must warn you, she will not be here forever to pick up the pieces.” Rarity rolled her eyes. “I do not think there is anything serious there between us. I do see how he looks at you, you know.” Trixie raised a brow. “But I’ve seen eyes like his in stallions in the past. They’re not looking for a love lust, night of passion, or even a one night stand which leaves their bed cold at night. He’s lonely, and is seeking comfort and compassion, but not willing to ask for it.” Trixie let out a huff. “Well, he’s sure got some way of throwing it back in Tr-a mare’s face.” Rarity smiled. “He’s a stallion, Trixie, they’re as subtle as a wet fish.” Both mares watched Thomas, for the fourth time, attempt to stand. “So what is it you’re aiming to do?” Trixie asked. Rarity stood, walking over to Trixie and leaned against the mare. “I’m Generosity, darling. I give of myself to those who are in need. Whether he needs a companion for the night to remind him of his, uh, I suppose the word is humanity? Or he just needs an emotional outlet, a mare or woman, to hear his troubles.” “Trixie has been there multiple times.” “And yet you two still fuss and fight, and I’m to guess builds up to a night of angry sex that leaves you both wanting more, but unwilling to admit it to one another.” Trixie’s cheeks went hot with a red tint. Rarity smiled, finally removing herself from Trixie’s side and walking to help Thomas up. With a wave of her tail, Rarity turned her head to the side to look at Trixie, the collar of Thomas’ shirt rubbing against her neck. “You know, we could always share.” Trixie’s cheeks puffed out, darkening another shade of red, and Rarity let out a laugh. Reluctantly, Trixie followed the white mare to help the inebriated human to his feet. The night was still young, and as two mares dragged a human back to his house, one’s mind was full of mysterious and tantalizing thoughts, the other her own feelings, and what they meant.